Versatile wrecking bar



Sept. 29, 1959 H. H. ERWEN VERSATILE WRECKING BAR Filed Nov. 22, 1955 INVENTOR.

H.H. Erwin BY WW1 a Ir v United States Patent 2,906,498 VERSATILE-WRECKING iiA'n- Hyle' Erwin,.Fre-niont, Nebr; Application-November 22,.'1955;.Serial-=Ndmes-1- 1* claim; (cl. 251145)" This invention relates-to tools ofthe? typeformerly referred ito as" crowbars andwhich have been generally replaced by wrecking bars, and in particulara wreeking bar having a handle with an elongated head having bifurcated ends pfioviling claws arfd' having an' ar'cuate end surface carried by an offset=section at one-end and having a chisel-like blade extended angularly from the opposite efidr t p ij'ihe purpb'seo'fthis inventions-ra rovide auniversal o'er fer p'ryifig boards" from near joists andw'ail" studding, and which is also adapted to withdraw nails and the like.

Wrecking bars have been provided with flat chisel-like blades on one end and arcuate or U-shaped sections with claws on the ends at the other, and although such bars have been provided in various types and designs it is necessary, in order to remove some materials, such as flooring, for the operator to bend substantially to the floor to pry boards from floor joists, and it is also necessary to place blocks and the like under the heads when it is desired to withdraw long nails and the like.

With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a wrecking bar having an elongated double claw rocker head offset from the end of the handle with a chisel-like blade on the opposite end whereby the tool is adapted for removing spikes, nails, flooring, floor shoes, siding, ceiling coves, and other interior wall trim and the like.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an improved wrecking bar having a double claw rocker head whereby the device is adapted to be used by a carpenter or workman in a standing position obviating the necessity of bending over to the floor to pry materials loose.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wrecking bar having a double claw rocker head in which the same head is adapted to be used for prying both flooring and sheathing from joists and studding.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a wrecking bar having an elongated double claw rocker head in which the same head is adapted to be used for prying boards from framing materials and nails and the like from framing materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved wrecking bar having an angularly disposed chisellike blade on one end and an elongated head with a claw on each end and having an arcuate end surface carried by an offset section of the handle wherein the same bar is adapted to be used for a plurality of uses.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved versatile wrecking bar in which the bar is of simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies an elongated handle having a sharp flat blade extended angularly from one end and an elongated head with claws at each end and having an arcuate end surface providing a rocker head carried by an offset section of the end of the handle opposite to the end on which the blade is positioned.

" 2,906,498 Patented Sept. 29,1959

Other features and advantages 'ofthe inventionwill appear-"from the following description taken in'connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is'a side'elevational view of the improved wrecking bar with part of the bar broken'away, illustrating one' useof the bar wherein one ofthe claws of the head is shown prying floor boards from" joists, portions ofthe flooring and joists being shownin-broken lines.-

Figure 2 -is an elevational-view ofthe head of the wrecking bar with part of the handle andalso'part of one of the claws of the head'broken-away illustrating theuse of the head in withdrawing long v nails from framing.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the improved wrecking bar with part ofthe handle broken away.

Figure 4 is aplan view looking downwardly upon the upper end ofthe wrecking bar with the bar positioned as shown in Figure 1.

While one embodiment-of the invention is illustrated in the above-referred-to drawings; it is to be understood that'they' are merel'y'for the purpose of' illustration, and thatvarious changes inconstruction' may be resortedto in the courseof manufacture in order that the" invention may be utilized to the best advantage according'tocir cumstances which may arise, without in any manner departing from the spirit and intention of the device, which is to be limited only in accordance with the appended claim. And while there is stated the primary field of utility of the invention, it remains obvious that it may be employed in any other capacity wherein it may be found applicable.

In the accompanying drawings and in the following specification, the same reference characters are used to designate the same parts and elements throughout and in which the numeral 10 refers to the invention in its entirety, numeral 12 indicating the head, numeral 14 the handle, numeral 16 a chisel-like blade at one end of the handle, numeral 13 claws at one end of the head, numeral 20 claws at the opposite end of the head, numeral 22 an arcuate end surface of the head that gives the head a rocker action, and numeral 24 an angularly disposed section connecting the head to the handle.

The width of the blade 16, being greater than that of the handle extends from the point 26 to the point 28, and the side surfaces 30 and 32 merge into the sides of'the handle as shown at the point 34. The blade is positioned at a slight angle in relation to the handle and the extended end of the blade is provided with a sharp cutting edge 36.

The claws 18 at one end of the head are separated by a V-shaped slot or bifurcation 38 and the claws 20 at the opposite end are separated by a similar slot 40'. The slots between the claws at both ends of the head are adapted to receive shanks of nails 42, as shown in Figure 2, and with the head being comparatively long relatively long nails may be extracted without the use of blocks as illustrated in Figure 2.

The section 24 of the handle, on which the head 12 is carried, extends fromthe point 44 at the end of the handle and the extended end thereof is forged into the head or secured thereto by other suitable means.

It will be seen that the bar of this invention'has a double claw rocker head in which the angle between the angularly disposed double claw section and a plane through the longitudinal axis of the bar is less than a right angle, whereby the tip of the lowermost claw is spaced far enough so that it is disposed substantially on the longitudinal axis of the handle, so that an operator can use the tool for prying while the operator remains in an upright position.

By this means a wrecking bar is provided that is adapted for universal use and the combination of the elongated work engaging head with the-jaws at both ends with I the arcuate rocker surface provides a tool with which an operator in a standing position may pry fast boards from joists with ease and in very little time. Such work is, therefore, greatly facilitated and more work can be accomplished in the same time with less help. The improved wrecking bar may be used in various positions and is adapted for removing floor and ceiling boards and also sheathing and nails.

From the foregoing specification, it will become apparent that the invention disclosed will adequately accomplish the functions for which it has been designed and in an economical manner, and that its simplicity, ac-

curacy, and ease of operation are such as to provide a relatively inexpensive device, considering what it will accomplish, and that it will find an important place in the art to which it appertains when once placed on the market.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details and parts, such as come within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having now described the invention that which is claimed to be new and desired to be procured by Letters Patent, is:

A wrecking tool comprising an elongated rigid bar providing a handle, one end of said bar having an angularly disposed section extended therefrom and the angle between said angularly disposed section the longitudinal axis of the bar being less than a right angle, an elongated work engaging head carried by and perpendicularly positioned in relation to said angularly disposed section, said angularly disposed section spacing the head from the end of the handle with the tip of that end of the head which is farthest from the handle being disposed substantially on the longitudinal axis of the handle whereby an operator using the tool remains in an upright position, the end surface of said head being arcuate and the body portion thereof being tapered from the intermediate part to sharp bifurcated ends providing claws, the ends of the head being patterned to be used as wedges for prying materials apart and also as claws for extracting nails and the like.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 52,960 Nelson Feb. 4, 1919 178,407 Butts June 7, 1876 2,525,226 Lawellin Oct. 10, 1950 

